Sheet counter



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Sept. l1, 1951 J. B. cAMP 2,567,422

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SHEET COUNTER 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 Sept. 1l, 1951 Filed Jan. 8, 1948 Hlm Inventor: .f4/w55 5. C22/wp,

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SHEET COUNTER Filed Jan. E, 1948 s Sheng-sheet 7 v [700w/dof: JQMES E. (QW/ Sept. 11, 1951 J. B. CAMP 2,567,422

SHEET COUNTER Filed Jan. 8, 1948 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 ,4er/af f//v 06f/7 #Enf/[5f- E/(zf Mam F-| E 1 fau/Wm 574575 5MM /fvaz//vrfa (0M/MMU aff Patented Sept. 11, 1951 .SHEET COUNTER .James B. Camp; Fairfield, `Ala.., assignor. to Tennessee'Coal, Ironand Railroad Company, a

' corporation'of Alabama :ApplicationJanuary 8, 1948;=Serial---No.,1,230

:L This `invention .relates to. sheet :counting :mechanismv and. more particularly to such mechalnism for counting sheets of tinplate as they move along a conveyor. Apparatusheretofore usedin .counting sheets. and other articles have been del-iicient inthat it has been practically impossible Vtocount the .articles zat -high speeds With .ac- ;curacy. In addition,. in mechanism `for-countingsheets of Ytin-.plate on a moving conveyor, it is necessary .tocount a predetermined number of sheetsto make a bundle. Previously, in counting bund-lesof sheets it was necessary to manu- ;ally ,reset Ythe counter .after the completion Vof thecounting of .the sheets. This, of course, providedanothersource of error since theoperator might possibly fail to reset thecounter before the sheet. count had started. Also, in this .process sheets .are added` or- -subtracted .from' thecon- :veyor in'. that -part of. then-conveyor beyondthe .counter. Previously, itf-was. necessary -for the operatorto remember exactly how many sheets wereraddedor subtracted and 'to correct thenal .count Inthe counters formerly used vfor count- :ing sheets, the upkeep Vwas considerable andthe life-of the counters was short.

z .It is,. therefore, fanobject.- ofthisinventionto :provide acounter which is able tocount 'sheets .moving at high and variable speeds.

r:lV-Another object isA toV provide a counter which will-.reset itself after the completion of the count Zofaspredetermined number of articles.

Still another object `is kto-.provide a counter .-havingmeans for vcorrecting for the removal or faddition of articles during operation.

A furtherobject. is to'provide a step-by-step 4motoripeculiarly.adapted for use in the counter.

.f Astillfurther object is to `provide a time-delay; relayiforuse'zwithA my counter in which the .iztime-delaywvaries inversely as the speed of the fzconveyor.

'These and other objects `Will be more apparent 'after'- referrng to the following specication and attached drawings, inA which:

25 leads-to" the primepiler I2.

circuit. for supplying impulses to the stator coils;

" Figure 9 is a schematic Wiring diagram show- ;ingthe time-delay relay and the `circuits controlled by the mechanism of Figures 5 7; `and FigurelO shows a number of curves illustrating the operating' characteristics offcertain tubes andtransformers in the circuit of Figures 8 and `80a.

Referring moreparticularly to Figure 1 of the "drawingsthe reference numeral 2 indicates a conveyor along'which the sheets S travel on their v4Way from a shear. VAt the end ofthe conveyor 2 is a flap' gate 4 Which directs the sheets S either 'totheconveyor 6 which leads to the vmender "'piler lfor tothe inspection conveyor I0 which An electric eye/*I4 is located inthe-path oftravel of the sheets S tothe primeipiler I2. `As the sheet passes Aunder fltheelectriceyef'M, lightthereto is vcutV oi and fthenumber of sheets. onv the indicating Aunit I6` is `increasedby Aone in a manner to be described hereinafter. While `the invention is not limited --tothe counting of sheets it vWill be described here- .-.inas vrelating :to a sheetzpiler -in which sheets y. of "tin-.plate` are larranged -in a bundle -ofv twelve l packages vWith each package unit consisting -of f one hundredfand twelve sheets.

f The step-by-step motor of. myinvention.- isbest shown in FiguresZ, 3.and4. The, motor ,has a :rotor shaft I8 which. is .mountedin bearings. 20

and .22.in thestator plate 24..and bearing plate .T2I,.res}; ectiv.ely. Plates 24and 26are..connected -by means l of spacer bolts 28. .Mountedon the shaft I8 4between Vplates .24 and 26Yare therotor cone 3U .andfattached rotor dsc.32..which..are

Figure l-is a schematic diagram of the sheet z` made .from aluminum .or any non-magnetic #conveyor systemyvith the counter incorporated 'therein;

lFigure 2is a View, partly in section, of the step-by-step motor;

*Figure 3 is a-plan view of the rotor disc of the motor 'showing the arrangement of the poles Mounted around the periphery` of the disc .32

are tWenty-eightequally, spaced rotor poles.36. Supported on the statorplate 24 are four. stator pole segments 38, .eachsegment consisting. of. a coi1`40, six ,equally spaced upper poles 42 andsix Vlower polesspaced directly beneath the `upper `bolts 28.

' follows:

photoelectric cell I4 will receive a positive voltage '86 .which is variable with respect to ground by poles. The rotor poles 36 are located between the poles 42 and 44. The four pole segments 38 are grouped around the periphery of the rotor 32 so as to create a vernier effect between the pole segments of the stator and those of the rotor. As shown in Figure 3, the center line of the second stator plate is 90-I-1/112 of the circumference from the center line of the first stator plate. The center line of the third stator segment is the same distance from the center line of the second stator segment and the center line of the fourth stator segment is likewise the same distance from the center line of the third stator segment. Mounted below the cone is a drag plate 46 which is fastened to the shaft 8 by means of a set screw passing through the drag plate hub 48. Braking action is supplied to the drag plate 46 by means of two xed spring pressed felt brushes 50, one on each side of the plate. The springs 52 are supported on a hub 54 which is mounted on one of the When the first coil llil--I` is energized, its poles are magnetized, thus attracting the six nearest rotor polesY 1 to 6, inclusive, measured around the periphery, so that the rotor is held in a fixed position with these six poles opposite the poles of the first stator coil segment. When the second coil -2 is energized and the remaining coils deenergized, the poles of coils 48-2 vattract the six nearest rotor poles (8 to 13 inclusive), thus rotating the rotor shaft 1/11z of a complete revolution. Coil 48-3 is next energized .and with the other coils deenergized, the six near- `26 inclusive) into alignment with the poles of coil 48-4 and rotates the shaft I8 through another 1/112 of a revolution. This operation is repeated each time asheet passes under the electric eye I 4 with the poles of the energizedk coil attracting the rotor poles nearest thereto.

The control for carrying the impulses from the electric eye I4 into the coils 40 is best shown in Figures 8 and 8A. D. C. voltage is applied to the lines 56, 58, 60, 62, 64, 66, 68 and 10 from any suitable source. Line 64 is at ground potential while lines 56, 58, 60 and 62 have a positive potential with the lower numbered lines having a higher potential than the next succeeding higher numbered line. a negative potential with the higher numbered lines having the greater negative potential. The value of the voltage supplied to these lines' is determined by means of the voltage dividers 12, 14, 16, 18, 88, 82 and 84, respectively. When voltage is applied to the lines 56 to 10, inclusive, with no light on tube I4, and the filaments of all the tubes turned off so that none of the tubes pass current, the static conditions of the circuit is as The anode 4A ofthe electric leye of means of the potentiometer 88. The cathode I4C tentiometers 88 and 94 are mechanically connected as shown so that when the potentiometers are varied the voltages 86 and 90 will increase or'decrease the same amounts. Connected to Lines 66, 68 and 18 have negative with respect to the cathode line 64 through a variable resistance 95 is the cathode 98C of a vacuum tube 98 which is at ground potential. The control grid 98G has negative potential through resistances 92 and |88. The anode 98A has a positive voltage 68 through resistance |62. The cathode |04C of vacuum tube |84 is at ground potential through resistance 96. The control grid |04G is positive from line 68 through resistances |02 and |86, but is less positive than line 68 due to the voltage divider circuit 68, resistances |82, |88 and |88A to line 10. The anode |84A is connected to the cathode ||0C of a thyratron tube ||0 and also to line 58 through a resistance ||2. The anode ||8A has the same positive potential as cathode I IUC since it is connected to the line 58 through the primary of a transformer ||4. Control grid I IDG is connected to line 62 through a resistance I I 6. Thus the anode I IDA and the cathode ||8C have a positive potential with respect to the grid IIUG. A line ||8 is connected to line 68 through the secondary of transformer ||4 in parallel with a resistance |28. The cathodes |22C, |240, |26C and I28C of vacuum tubes |22, |24, |26 and |28 are at ground potential since they are connected to the line 64. The anodes |22A, |24A, |26A and |28A are also at ground potential through resistances |38, |32, |34 and 36, respectively, and the primary of transformers |38, |40, |42 and |44, respectively. Connected to the coils 48-|, 40-2, 40-3 and 48-4 are thyratron tubes |46, |48, |58 and |52, respectively. The cathodes |46C, |48C, |50C and |520 are at ground potential since they are connected to line 64 through resistances |38, |32, |34 and |36, respectively. Anodes |46A, |48A, |58A and |52A are at positive potential 56 through the fields 40|, 40-2, 48-3 and 40--4, respectively. Control grids |22G, I24G, |26 G and |28G are at negative potential |I8fthrough resistances |54, |56, |58 and |68, respectively. Control grid |46G is at negative potential 68 through the secondary of a transformer |44, resistance |62 and resistance |64. The control grid |48G is also at negative potential 68 through the secondary of transformer |38, resistances |66 and |68. The control grid |50G is at negative potential 68 through the secondary of transformer |48, and resistances |18 and |12. The control grid |52G is at negative potential 68 through the secondary of transformer |42 and resistances |14 and |16. l

Assuming that light is allowed to strike the photoelectriccell tube I4 and the filaments of all the tubes are energized, the conditions throughout the circuit will be as follows. The light on photo-tube I4 causes its resistance to decrease to a value that is small compared to that of resistor 92. This, therefore causes the voltage at |18 to approach positive voltage 86 so that the grid 98G becomes positive through resistance I 08. Since the grid 98G is positive with respect to the cathode 98G and the anode 98A is positive, the tube 98 passes current. The resulting current ow through resistance |02 causes a voltage drop which makes the voltage at |88 and consequently the control grid |04G |040. Therefore, tube |84 does not conduct current and since tube ||0 is in series with tube |84, it cannot conduct. The control grid ||8G is negative with respect to cathode IIDC. Since no current iiows in the primary of transformer ||4 no voltage is induced in the secondary thereof. Thus no change takes place throughout the rest of the circuit. In order to prepare the counter for operation, the normally open spring return switch |82 is momentarily closed, this connecting the grid |46G to the cathode |46C' through a resistanced |84 to remove the negative bias. The tube |46 having no bias on its control grid |46G will conduct, thereby causing a flow of current from ground through resistance |30, tube |46 and coil 40-I vto line 56. This energizes the motor stator coil 40--I causing it to attract the nearest rotor poles in the manner described hereinbefore. A negative bias is returned to the grid |46G when switch 82 is opened, but since tube |46 is of the thyratron type, its grid has no further control over it once it starts conducting and therefore the tube continues to conduct even with the switch |82 open. Current flowing through resistance |30 causes a voltage drop thereacross so that the voltage at |85 becomes positive with respect to ground. This in turn causes the anode |22A to become positive since it is connected to line |85 through the primary of transformer |38. However, tube |22 cannot conduct due to the negative bias on its grid |22G and therefore nothing happens in the secondary of the transformer |38. The voltage drop between the anode |46A and cathode |46C is very low so that the two voltages are substantially equal. The voltage at |46A is negative with respect to line 56 by the amount of the RI drop in coil 40-I. Since tube |48 is not conducting, the voltage at |48A is equal to the voltage 56, thus a condenser |86 connected between anodes |46A and 48A will become charged due to the potential difference between these two points with the side of the condenser connected to |46A having a negative charge and the side connected to |48A having a positive charge.

When sheet S starts to interrupt the light beam on the photoelectric cell I4, the resistance of the photocell increases thereby decreasing the voltage drop across resistance 92. 'I'his causes the grid SBG to become more negative with respect to its cathode 08C so that there is a small decrease in current through the tube 98. This, in turn, causes a decrease in voltage drop across resistance |02 which makes the control grid |04G slightly more positive so that the tube |04 starts to conduct and draw current through resistance 2. This makes cathode ||0C less positive with respect to ground and since the bias voltage on the control grid 0G remains fixed, the control grid becomes more positive with respect to the cathode |IOC. At this time tube |04 is just beginning to conduct and tube 98 is beginning to cease conducting. The current through resistance 96 is very small due to the fact that the resistance values of resistances |02 and ||2 are very high. The resistance of resistance 96 is low so that the voltage drop thereacross is small since the current is small. Therefore, the cathodes 98C and |04C are at ground potential for practical purposes. This is shown in Figure 10, curve A. As the sheet cuts more of the light beam on tube I4 and grid 98G becomes more negative, more current flows through tube |04 and through resistor ||2. The IR drop across resistor ||2 will therefore increase, resulting in: (1) an increased difference in the potential between anode I 0A and cathode ||0C and (2) a decrease in the positive potential of cathode IIUC. Since the grid voltage remains fixed the grid becomes less negative with respect to the cathode. As more light is cut oil', the IR. drop across resistor ||2 continues to in- 6 Y, crease with a corresponding change in results (1) and (2) mentioned above until tube ||0 suddenly starts to conduct. When tube ||0 res its grid has no further control on the operation of the tube until the anode voltage is removed. Since the voltage drop across tube IIB is very low after conduction starts, its cathode voltage becomes practically the same as the anode voltage. Since the resistance ofthe primary of transformer I I4 is relatively low, the anode voltage of tube ||0 will be almost equal to the volt-l age in line 58. Therefore the anode voltage of tube |04 suddenly increases when tube |I0 fires. This causes a corresponding increase in current flow through tubes I 04 and ||0, resistance 96 and the primary of transformer I4, as shown in Figure l0, curve B. The increased current ow through resistance 96 causes a voltage drop which in turn causes a sudden rise in the cathode voltage of tube 98. This makes the grid 98G more negative with respect to its cathode 98C so that current iiow therethrough is completely cut oil. This in turn increases the voltage in line to the value of the voltage in line 60, thereby increasing the positive voltage on grid |04G, which in turn allows still more current to flow through tubes |04 and ||0 and the primary of transformer ||4. Therefore, when the grid SSG reaches a certain critical value which causes tube I0 to fire, accumulated action is produced, which results in a sudden Sharp increase in current in the primary of transformer ||4 which in turn induces a positive impulse in the secondary of transformer I4, which impulse is the same in wave form, magnitude and duration regardless of the manner or speed of interruption of the light on the tube I4. The sudden voltage impulse in the secondary of transformer I I4, as shown in curve C, Figure 10, is of such a polarity and amplitude as to make the voltage of line I|8 positive with respect to the voltage of line 68 and also with respect to ground. Since the line ||8 is connected to the grids |22G, |24G, |26G and |28G, these grids are driven positive with respect to their cathodes, but since tube |46 is the only one conducting at this time, only tube |22 of the control tubes has an anode voltage, which voltage is caused by the RI drop across resistance |30. Therefore, only tube |22 conducts. The anode current of tube |22 flows through the primary of transformer |38, inducing a voltage in such a direction as to make the grid |48G negative with respect to line 68. Since the grid |48G f was already negative, it becomes still more negative so that the tube |48 cannot conduct (see curve E, Figure 10). When the current in the primari7 of transformer ||4 builds up to its maximum value, it remains steady and constant as shown in curve B, Figure 10. This constant current flow induces no voltage in the secondary of the transformer (see curve C, Figure l0) so that the grid I22G will have its normal negative bias ||8 which causes it to block the ow of current through tube 22. Therefore the current through the primary of transformer |38 drops to 0 (see curve D, Figure 10). This decreasing current through the primary of transformer |38 induces a positive voltage impulse on the grid |48G through the secondary of transformer |38 (see curve E, Figure l0). This positive impulse on grid |48G overcomes the normal bias 68 and causes the tube I 48` to fire, thus closing the circuit through the stator coil 40-2 from line 56 to ground, thereby energizascuas ingstator` coil' 40'-2 and causing the six nearest rotor poles to align themselves with the poles of stator coil 40--2l as described herenbefore. At the instant the tube |48 fires, its anode becomes' negative: With respect to line 56 due to the RI drop in the stator coil 40-2 and Since theA anode of tube |46, which is also firing, is already negative with respect to line 56, its anode voltage-is almost equal to its cathode voltage. voltage drop is transmitted through condenser |86 to the anode 46A forcing it still further negative so that it becomes more negative than the' cathode v|46C. Tube |46 therefore stops ring and its grid regains control.

When. the sheet S, being counted, moves out of the path of the light beam of the photocell I4, allowing the light to shine on the photocell, thev grid 90G becomes suciently positive to overcome the voltage drop in resistance 96, thereby causing tube 98 to conduct. This causes line. |80 and therefore the grid |04G to become Amore negative due to the RI drop in resistance |02. When the grid of tube |04 becomes sufficiently negative, the flow of current through tubes |-04k and ||0 ceases and the cathode ||0C and the. anode |04A have a voltage equal to that of line 58. The cathode of tube is at a more positive potential than its grid. During' the time the tubes |04 and ||0 were ceasing to'conduct, there was a decrease' in current in the primary of transformer ||4 (see curve B, Figure This' induces a voltage in the secondary off transformer ||'4y in such a direction asl to make the line ||8 and the grids of tube |22', |24, |26 and |28` more negative. Therefore, since these tubes were already biased to cut off, none of them will draw current or will be affected even though tube |24 has anode voltage applied. The control network is therefore in its original state of operational readiness toV receive the next counting impulse -which will energize stator coil 40-3 in the same sequence and manner as described above for stator coils 40| and 40-2. Inl other words, condenser |88 applied in the line between the anodes of tubes |48 and |50, condenser` |89v applied in the line between the anodes of tubes |50 and |52, and' condenser |90 applied in the line` between the' anodes of tubes |52 and |46 function inthe same manner as condenser |86; Eachv counting. impulse that follows will energize the stator coils in sequence as hereinbefore described, thisk resulting in a rotating field that produces rotation of the rotor 32. Condensers |9| in the: gridcathode circuits of each of. the thyratron tubes |46, |48, |50 and |52 lend stability to the operation of the circuit by acting as a by-pass for interfering voltage surges.

The rotation of theV rotor shaft I8 is applied as follows to the indicating unit I6, which is shown in detail in Figures 5, 6 and '1. A plurality of pla-tes |92, |94, |96 and. |98 are held in' spaced apart parallel relationship with stator plate 24- and. with each other by means of threaded rods or bolts 200, 202, 204 and 206. The shaft |8 is connected toa clutch shaft 208 which passes through a bearing in theplate |92 with the top end of the shaft having a clutch disc 2|0 fixed thereto. A second clutch shaft 2|2 is supported in a ball bearing in plate |94. A. corrugated clutch disc 2|4 is fixed to the lower end of the shaft 2|2 andis adaptedto engage the disc 2|0. Immediately above the clutch disc 2|4 is the clutch operatinglever 2 |.6 which has one end Therefore, when tube |48 fires, its anode thereof connected to the plate |94 by means. of a'link 2|8. The other end of the lever 2|6 terminates adjacent the clutch magnet box 220 which ismounted on the plate |94. The armature 222 of the magnet boX 220 has an adjustment screw 224 thereon for contacting the end of the lever 2|6. A spring 226 is connected to the bottom of the plate |94 and to the top of lever 2 |6. Connected tothe shaft 2 I2 above theY clutch lever 2|6 is the reset clutch disc 228. Directly above the clutch disc 228 is the clutch disc 229 which is fixed to the reset friction drive disc 230. A high speed shaft 232 extends downwardly through bearings in plate |94 and terminatesin a disc 234. The shaft 232 surrounds the clutch shaft 2 |2 and is keyed theretov by means of a sliding key 236. Attached to the top of the plate 94 is a rear collector ring assembly 238l having contactors 239 attached thereto. Directly above the collector ring 238 is a gear 240 having a high speed brush holder and microswitch base 242 attached thereto. Brushes 243 are carried by base 242 for contacting contactors 239. Members-238', 240, and 242 rotate in unison around the shaft 232 on ball bearings 244. A microswitch 246v is mounted on the plate 242 with its actuating lever 248 contacting the high speed cam 259 which is mounted on the shaft 232 for` rotation therewith. A high speed stop cam 252i having a notch 253 therein is4 spaced a short distance from the high speed cam 250 and is adapted to operate a microswitch 254 through a lever 256, Microswitch 254 is fastened to the plate |96. Connected to the end of lever 256 adjacent switch 254 is one end of a spring 258,. the other end being attached to the plate |96. Mounted in bearings 260, which are supported on top of the plate |96, and. surrounding the shaft 2.32 is the slow speed reset friction drive disc 262. Directly above the reset disc 262 is a bearing 264. Mounted on the high speed shaft 232 is a pinion 266. The high speed shaft extends through the pinion and has a reduced diameter portion 2684 which extends upwardly through the slow speed shaft 210 and terminates in a pointer 212. The

slow speed shaft 210 has a gear 214 mounted. on

its lower end which is driven from the pinion 266 through a reduction gear 216 meshing with pinion 266 and a pinion 218 meshing with gear 214. The gear 216 and pinion 218 are attached to a shaft 280 which is supported by the bearing 260. A slow speed stop cam 282 having a notch 283 therein is mounted on the shaft 210 and actuates a microswitch 284 through the lever 286. The switch 284 is mounted on plate |96. One end of a spring 288 is fastened to the lever 286 with the other end being fastened to the plate |96. A warning signal contact cam 290y having a contact point 29| is mounted on the shaft 210 directly above cam 282 and is adapted to actuate a microswitch 292 which is mounted on plate 2.98. A package count contact cam 294 having a contact point 295 thereon is mounted on the shaft 210. above the cam 290 and is adapted to actuate a microswitch 296, which is mounted on the slow speed brush holder and microswitch base plate 296. Brushes 299 are supported by the plate 298. The plate 298 is attached to a gear 300 and to a Micarta cylinder 302. The plate 293, gear 390 and cylinder 302 rotate around the shaft 210 on ball bearings 394. Supported by plate |98. is a shaft 30.6 having a package count register 368, package reset gear 3|!) and package selector gear 3| 2 fastened thereto, the gear 3|2 meshing with the gear 300. The gears 300, 3|0

and 3I2 are all the same size.- A pinion 3|4 on shaft 210 meshes with gear 3 |0. Fastened to the pinion 3|4 is an intermediate idler gear 3|6 which meshes with a pinion 3I8 mounted on a shaft 320 which is supported by the plate |98. Also mounted on the shaft 320 is a sheet count register dial 322, zero contact cam 324 having a notch 325 therein, sheet count selector gear 326 and sheet count correction ratchet 328. The cam 3 24 is adapted to actuate a microswitch 330. Attached to the under side of the plate |98 is the front collector ring assembly 332. Contacts 333 for the brushes 299 are supported in ring assembly 332. The brushes 243 and 299 contact the contacts 239 and 333, respectively, to deliver current from the rotating to non-rotating parts. The slow speed shaft 210 extends upwardly through the plate |98 and has the slow speed pointer 334 attached thereto. Extending downwardly through plates |98 and |96 is a selector knob shaft 336 having a count selector knob 338 at the top thereof. A selector pinion 340 attached to shaft 336 engages the gear 326 and a second selector pinion 342, also attached to shaft 336, engages a gear 344 which is mounted on a shaft 346 supported by the plate |94. The gear 344 meshes with the gear 240. Mounted adjacent the sheet count correction ratchet 328 is a count correction magnet box 348 having a ratchet arm 358 adapted to engage the ratchet 328. A ratchet positioning plunger 352 is mounted adjacent the ratchet 32 8. Mounted between the rear plate |94 and the intermediate plate |96 and supported by the plates is a reset motor 354 having a shaft 356 extending from both sides thereof.

Fastened to the lower end of the shaft 356 below plate |94 are the discs 358 which frictionally drive the disc 230. The other end of shaft 356 extends upwardly through the plate |96 with discs 360 being mounted on the top thereof. The discs 360 frictionally drive the disc 262.

The pointer 212 cooperates with a dial 362 which is divided into |2 graduations. The pointer 334 cooperates with a dial 364 which is divided into I6 graduations. The package count register or dial 308 is partially visible through an opening 366 in the plate |98. An indicator mark 368 extends into the opening 366. The sheet count register or dial 322 is likewise visible through an opening 310 in the plate |98, the opening being provided with an indicating mark 312.

The operation of the device is as follows:

The high speed hand 212 is arranged so that it points to zero and the sheet count register dial 322 is arranged so that zero appears under the indicator mark 312. The package count register dial 308 is arranged so that zero appears under the indicator mark 368. Zero contact cam 324 is arranged to position the roller at the end of its contact arm 33| in the notch 325 of the cam 324, which is then fastened to the shaft 320. Package count contact cam 294 is rotated about shaft 210 until its contact point 295 contacts the roller at the end of the contact arm of the microswitch 296 and the cam 294 is then xed to the shaft 210. Warning signal contact cam 290 is rotated until its contact point 29| trips microswitch 292 and it is then advanced slightly past the contact point toward microswitch 296 in the direction that the shaft 210 rotates during operation. The

cam 290 is then fastened securely to the shaft 210. This setting can be Varied as desired so that the warning signal will operate at the desired number of sheets prior to the completion of a bundle. Assuming that there are 12 packages in a bundle,

the count selectorknob 338 is turned until the indicator mark 368 is opposite the number 12 and the indicator mark 312 is opposite zero. As the knob 338 is turned, the dial 322 is rotated by the pinion 340 throughthe gea-r 326. At the same time pinion 3 8 on shaft 320 rotates the idler gear 3|6 and the pinion 3|4 in turn rotates the gear 3 0 and dial 308. The arrangement of this gearing is such that when the dial 322 has been rotated one complete revolution, the dial 308 will Vhave rotated one-sixteenth of a revolution or one package graduation. The gear 3|2 rotates gear 300 in a one to one ratio so that the microswitches 292 andv 296 will rotate about the periphery of the cams 290 and 294 one-sixteenth of a revolution. This advances the sheet register 322 one revolution or 112 sheets and the package register onesixteenth of a revolution or one package. Selector pinions 340 and 342 are identical and rotate simultaneously with the shaft 336. Thus the gear 240 and base 242 are giving the same angular movement as sheet count register 322. Thus when the sheet count register is advanced one graduation or 1/112 of a revolution, the microswitch 246 is also rotated or advanced about sheet count cam 250 1/112 0f a revolution. With the counter set up in this manner, it is ready for operation.

Every time a sheet S passes under the photoelectric cell |4, the rotor shaft I8 rotates 1/512 of arevolution in the manner described above. With the clutch faces 2|0 and 2|4 in engagement, the high speed shaft 232 and low speed y shaft 210 are rotated in the manner described hereinbefore, thus causing the high speed pointer 212 to move one graduation and the low speed pointer 334 to move 1/112 of a graduation. The various cams fastened to the shaft will likewise move at the same speed as the corresponding shaft, the high speed shaft turning at 16 times the speed of the low speed shaft. The cam 250 actuates microswitch 246 on every revolution when the roller at the end of the actuating lever 248 is contacted by the contact point on cam 250. This occurs when the sheet count hand 212 passes 0. This alone causes no reaction since the microswitch 246 is in series with microswitch y296. High speed cam lever 256 rides on the periphery of cam 252 dropping into the notch 253 in the cam 252 on each complete revolution as the sheet count hand 212 passes through 0. When the reset mechanism operates to turn shaft 232 in the opposite direction, the stop cam 252 willpermit rotation only to the point where the sheet count hand 212 is at 0. Thus the function of this cam is to always stop the sheet count hand on 0 when the counter is reset. Stop lever 256 opens the microswitch 254 during reset operation only when the hand 212 is on O. The function of cam 282 is the same as that of cam 252 except that it works on the packager count mechanism. The lever 286 functions in a manner similar to that of lever 256, that is, it opens the microswitch 284 during'reset operation only when hand 212 is on 0. The warning signal cam 290 will close microswitch 292 a short time (for example, 60 sheets) before the bundle is completed. The cam 294 will close microswitch 296 when the package count hand 334 reads 12 packages on the dial and the sheet count hand 212 reads 0. At this time switches 246 and 296 will both be closed. Since microswitches 254 and 284 are closed at all times except when the hands 212 and 334 are on 0 and the reset motor 354 is attempting to turn the shafts 232 and 210 in lfecting the operation of the counter.

reverse direction these switches will also be closed. The closing of the four switches actuates Yan electrical relay and causes the following vactions to take place simultaneously. The clutch magnet 228 is actuated, thus disengaging disc 218 and 2l4 and engaging discs 228 and 229. The reset motor 354 is started in operation, thus rotating the shafts 232 and 218 in reverse direction through the friction -drives 358 and 368. The high speed shaft 232 returns the sheet count hand 212 to and the notch 253 in high speed stop cam 252 engages stop lever 256 so that the reverse rotation of shaft 232 causes the lever 256 to open the microswitch 254 and hold the hand 212 on 0. At the same time the slow speed shaft 210 is rotated to return the package count hand 334 to 0. The hand 334 and slow speed stop cam 282 rotate until the slow speed stop cam lever 286 drops into the notch 283 in cam 282, at which time the reverse rotation of cam 282 causes the lever 286 to open the microswitch 284, thus stopping rotation of cam 282 and holding the hand 334 on 0. The iap gate 4v is also operated to divert sheets S into the mender piler 8. Since microswitches 254 and 284 both are open they will break the electric circuit to stop the reset motor 354, release the clutch magnet 228 to position the clutch in normal drive and return the ap gate to normal position. The counter mechanism is now ready to start a new bundle.

In some instances sheets are removed from the system after passing the count actuating electric eye i4. Means are provided for correcting for the removal of these sheets without ef- Assuming that 8 sheets have been removed 'after passbe 8 sheets short unless this is compensated for. In order to compensate for the removal of 8 sheets the count selector knob 338 is turned clockwise to position the sheet count register 322 so that the figure 8 appears under the indicator mark 312. In doing this the various cams and switches are moved in the manner described hereinbefore so that contact of the switches 246, 292 and 296 with their respective cams will not take place until 8 sheets in addition to those for which the counter was originally set up for have passed photoelectric cell I4.

In case 8 sheets are manually added to the bundle, the count selector knob l338 will be turned counterclockwise until the sheet count register `322 is positioned with the figure 104 under the indicator 312. In other words, the cams and switches are moved so that contact of the switches with their respective cams `will take place 8 sheets in advance of the predetermined normal count.

The wiring diagram for carrying out the above described operation `is shown schematically` in Figure 9. Power is supplied to the circuit through lines 314. :Shortly before the sheet count is completed switch 292 closes completing the circuit to light 316, thus warning the operator that it will soon be time to place a separator on top of the completed bundle. When the count is completed switches 246 and 296 are both closed and switch 284, which is closed at all times except when the package count is on 0, will also be closed, thus completing the circuit through relay coil 318. When relay coil 318 is energized the seven contacts thereof are closed. Closing of contact ,31'8-l closes the circuit through the gong 388 thus Warning the 'operator that the count has been completed. Closing of contact 31B--2 completes the circuit through the clutch coil 228, thus disconnecting the drive from shaft I8 and connecting lthe drive from the reset motor 354. Closing of contact 318--3 closes the contact through the reset motor 354. Closing contact 318-4 enables the circuit through switches 254 and '284 to remain closed even though the Aswitches ..296 and 246 open. Closing of contact 3118-5 completes the circuit to the flap gate solenoid 382 which `actuates the flap gate 4 to enable the sheets to go to the reject piler. Closing of contacts 318-8 completes a circuit in the time delay relay to be described hereinafter.

The time delay relay includes the primary of a transformer 384 connected to power source 314. The voltage of the secondary of transformer 3'84 is rectified by the action of rectifier 388. The rectified output is then ltered by the capacitor 386 and resistors 398, 392 and 394 so that there is a steady D. C. voltage across this parallel capacitor resistance combination. This voltage is marked E-I A tachometer generator 396 is mechanicallycoupled to the conveyor line so that its D. C. voltage output is directly -proportional to the speed of the conveyor line. A potentiometer .398 is connected across the terminals of the tachometer generator. E--Z is the voltage from the variable arm to the -ground end of the potentiometer. As the tachometer generator output voltage is directly proportional to the speed of the conveyor the voltage E--2 is proportional to the conveyors speed. E--3 is the voltage as measured from the variable arm of potentiometer 39.2 to the negative end of resistance 398. The value of E--3 may, of course, be varied by changing the position of the arm of the potentiometer 392. E-Il is the instantaneous voltage across the parallel combination of resistance 488 and condenser 482. Normally when contacts 318-6 are open voltage E-4 is zero. When contacts 31'8-6 are `closed the condenser 482 charges up to equal `voltage E-I and the instantaneous value of E-4 will, of course, equal E-L The grid bias voltage E-l5 on tube 484 is equal to E4 minus E-3 minus E-Z. At this time E-4 will overcome the negative bias between the grid and cathode 484C of tube 484 Athus allowing the tube to conduct. This energizes relay coil 486 closing contacts 488 and completing a parallel circuit to solenoid 382 from the A. C. power source 314. This circuit remains yclosed even when contacts 318-5 open. As soon as contacts 313-6 open the condenser 482 will begin to discharge through resistance 488. As the condenser discharges the value of lil-4 will decrease exponentially until the voltage E-5 becomes negative'again, at which time tube 484 ceases vconducting causing 4contacts 488 to open so that the iiap gate 4 returns toits normal position. If the conveyor line is speeded up E-2 becomes larger so that lil-5 will reach the cut-off value at a larger value of lil-4. Thus it would take less time after theY opening of contact 318-6 for the tube 484 to be cut-off. If the 1in@ is slowed down the bias voltage E--Z is decreased so that positive voltage E-4 would be, able to decay to a smaller value before the tube 484 is cut olf. This means that there is a longer period of time for coil v486 to be energized. Thus it will be seen that I have devised a ltime-delay relay in which the time varies inversely in proportion to the speed of the conveyor thus enabling the same number of sheets to go to the `reject piler regardless of the speed of `the line.

This delay enables the operator to place a sepyarator on tcp of the completed bundle preparatory to beginning a new bundle.

When sheets have been added or subtracted in the manner hereinbefore described, switch 330 will be closed completing a circuit through the coil 412 when contacts 318-1 are closed. This completes the circuit through the bell 414 which rings, warning the operator to correct the setting on the counter. Energization of coil 412 closes contacts H2- l `which completes an alternate circuit through the bell 414 so that the bell continues to ring even after contacts 318-1 open. The bell 414 will continue to ring until the operator corrects the setting on the counter which opens switch 339.

For purpose of convenience the correction for sheets taken away after passing the photoelectric cell I4 may be made from a remote position by providing a push button switch 4 I6 which closes a circuit to the count correction ratchet coil 4|8 Which actuates the ratchet positioning plunger 352. Each time the switch 416 is closed, the plunger 352 will turn the ratchet 328 to correct for 1 sheet.

While one embodiment of my invention has been shown and described, it will be apparent that other adaptations and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. A step-by-step motor comprising a rotor, a plurality of equally spaced poles mounted on said rotor, and a plurality of stator pole segments grouped around the periphery of said rotor, each stator pole segment having a plurality of equally spaced poles mounted thereon, said stator pole segments being unequally spaced from each other.

2. A step-by-step motor comprising a shaft, a rotor mounted on said shaft, a plurality of equally spaced poles mounted on said rotor, and a plurality of stator pole segments grouped around the periphery of said rotor, said stator pole segments being unequally spaced from each other.

3. A step-by-step motor according to claim 2 in which each stator pole segment has a plurality of equally spaced poles mounted thereon.

4. A step-by-step motor according to claim 2 in which there is a drag plate mounted on said rotor shaft and a brake brush bearing on said drag plate.

5. A step-by-step motor according to claim 4 in which each stator pole segment has a plurality of equally spaced poles mounted thereon.

6. Apparatus for counting moving sheets com` 14 prising a shaft, a rotor mounted on said shaft, a plurality of equally spaced poles mounted on said rotor, a plurality of stator pole segments grouped around the periphery of said rotor, said stator pole segments being unequall'y spaced from each other, a photoelectric tube in the path of travel of said sheets, a coil for each of said stator pole segments, a thyratron tube connected in series with the coil of each of said stator pole segments, said thyratron tubes energizing said stator pole segments when fired, means actuated by said photoelectric tube for successively firing said thyratron tubes each time a sheet cuts off the light to said photoelectric tube, and a counter actuated by said shaft each time a stator pole segment is energized.

JAMES B. CAMP.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,266,388 Bergman May 14, 1918 1,405,502 Dodds Feb. 7, 1922 1,492,913 Wood May 6, 1924 1,533,647 Hall Apr. 14, 1925 1,741,387 Waitkus Dec. 31, 1929 1,890,752 Sanford Dec. 13, 1932 1,924,624 Roesen Aug. 29, 1933 2,059,398 Roemer Nov. 3, 1936 2,099,065 Holden Nov. 16, 1937 2,116,785 Griith May 10, 1938 2,122,710 Bidwell et al July 5, 1938 2,133,262 Wolff Oct. 11, 1938 2,164,633 Barrett July 4, 1939 2,169,100 Lange Aug. 8, 1939 2,246,516 Herzog June 24, 1941 2,340,743 Grilith Feb. l, 1944 2,342,753 Pearson et al Feb. 29, 1944 2,371,268 Schofield Mar. 13, 1945 2,382,847 Baumann Aug. 14, 1945 2,389,458 Preston Nov. 20, 1945 2,412,571 Few Dec. 17, 1946 2,415,854 Sheiiield Feb. 18, 1947 2,428,882 Koli Oct. 14, 1947 2,463,318 Schneider et al Mar. 1, 1949 2,507,798 Maxwell May 16, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 727,870 France June 25, 1932 

